Treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs using isophane insulin penfills and the use of serum fructosamine assays to diagnose and monitor the disease.

The objectives of the study were to test the use of a prefilled insulin syringe (Insulatard Novolet, isophane insulin, 100 IU/mL) in treating diabetic dogs and to test the clinical usefulness of serum fructosamine measurements in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes mellitus in dogs. For this study 15 dogs from throughout Norway with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus were included and treated over a period of 180 days. All 15 dogs showed pretreatment hyperglycaemia. Of the 13 dogs tested, all showed elevated pretreatment serum fructosamine values. Within 2 weeks, 3 of the 15 included dogs had dropped out of the study. In 8 of the 12 remaining dogs, the clinical signs ceased within this period. Within a month, another dog was euthanised and one had died. Seven of the 10 remaining dogs were clinically normal. Three dogs had normal serum fructosamine concentrations, while in 6 dogs moderately or highly elevated serum fructosamine concentrations persisted. In one case serum fructosamine was not measured at this time. Increase in serum fructosamine concentration seemed to reflect hyperglycaemia and deteriorated clinical condition. Decrease in serum fructosamine concentration seemed to reflect improved glycaemic status and clinical condition. During the study period the owners did a total of approximately 3500 injections on their dogs. No reports of injection difficulties were received. This study documents that Insulatard Novolet is easy and safe to use in treating diabetic dogs and that serum fructosamine reflects long-term glucose concentrations in dogs. Serum fructosamine measurements provided a simple and easy way to diagnose persistent hyperglycaemia and monitor the treatment in diabetic patients.